The Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Steve Kyeremeh Atuahene, has partly attributed the rise in new HIV infections in Ghana to individuals' reluctance to disclose their HIV status to their spouses, fearing desertion.

Dr. Atuahene emphasized that the refusal of some HIV-positive individuals to continue their medication was a significant factor in the spike.

He explained, "The fear of the husband or wife deserting them leads some not to disclose their status. Some are afraid their spouse may discover they are taking daily medication, leading them to hide or discontinue their medicines."

According to the Ghana AIDS Commission, over 334,000 people live with HIV in Ghana. In 2023, the country reported 17,774 new cases, with 11,317 women and 6,457 men affected.

This alarming trend has prompted the commission to address the underlying causes and increase awareness about the importance of medication adherence and status disclosure.

Dr. Atuahene highlighted the increased vulnerability of females to HIV infections compared to males. He explained, "When a female has sex with a man, penile sex and the man ejaculates, the sperm which might contain HIV particles may remain in her for quite some time, whereas that of the male you hardly can see that. Secondly, the surface area of the vagina is much wider than that of the male, and thirdly, the mucus membrane of the vagina is much more fragile than that of the male."

Additionally, the Director General noted that universal male circumcision in Ghana serves as a protective factor against HIV transmission. "Women must be aware that they are more vulnerable and therefore they should protect themselves," he emphasized.

Dr. Atuahene also pointed out the significant difference in transmission rates between genders.

"The transmission rate from woman to man is just about 2%, whereas it is more than 12% for a man. That is why women should not gamble with their health and their life by just accepting that 'if he will give them more money to have sex without a condom, it's okay for me.' It shouldn’t be okay for you, especially when you might have untreated sexually transmitted diseases that can also heighten the chance of you getting HIV," he warned.

The Ghana AIDS Commission continues to advocate for increased awareness and preventive measures to combat the rise in HIV infections.

By addressing issues such as status disclosure, medication adherence, and gender-specific vulnerabilities, the commission aims to reduce the incidence of HIV and improve the quality of life for those affected.